Container gardening means growing plants in containers instead of a garden bed. Composting worms can play a role in successful container gardening. Growing plants in containers instead of the ground solve many gardening problems. If you’re concerned about your soil, don’t have much space, or want to convert lawn into a garden bed, planting in containers may help.
Just like any growing medium, the soil in container gardens will need fertilizer. The easiest and cheapest way is to start a separate bin that uses worms to break down kitchen scraps quickly. This is called “vermicomposting.” Vermicomposting results in worm castings (worm poop) that is more powerful than regular finished compost. This concentrated organic fertilizer is ideal for container gardens. And, once your worm bin is established, the fertilizer is free and self-replenishing. We recommend using a tray-based composting bin for convenience.
Here are five gardening problems that can be solved using containers.
Poor Soil
Your yard may have poor soil with too much clay or sand. Perhaps you’re worried that your soil might be contaminated. If you’re not ready to tackle the problem of poor soil on a large scale, try container gardening.
When you fill a container with soil, you know what is in that soil.
Use light soil in your containers. Mix in generous amounts of worm castings or finished organic compost. You might as well try to avoid chemicals to keep the plants pure. So keeping a vermicomposting bin ensures a clean source of organic fertilizer. Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm offers a Red Composting Worm Mix that is best for composting; European Night Crawlers are good for composting, fishing, and releasing into the garden or lawn.
Small Space
You don’t need acres of land to garden! All you need is a spot for a pot. Hanging baskets and window boxes are other good choices, but any container with drainage holes will work.
You can garden on a balcony, deck, porch, back stoop, or even a wheelchair ramp. Place pots in the corners of the ramp so they won’t interfere with the wheelchair. Hang baskets from the sides of railings.
Tray-based vermicomposting bins can be kept indoors, such as in a closet or under the sink. Or, you can find a sheltered spot outdoors. They have a small footprint and blend in with the decor. Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm has a selection of tray-based vermicomposting bins.
Picky Plants
Perhaps you have a perennial plant that you would like to place in a garden bed, but you’re not sure if it will get enough light in that spot. You can experiment by planting it in a decorative pot and setting the pot in your chosen spot. If it doesn’t thrive in there, move the pot around your landscape until you find a place where it’s happy.
Need To Turn Lawn Into Garden?
To convert a section of lawn into a garden bed, you have to get rid of the grass. Digging it up is one way, but that’s a backbreaking task.
Here’s an easier way. Spread newspapers and cardboard over the area of lawn that will become your garden, then add a layer of black landscape fabric. That will kill the grass, but it can take all summer.
In the meantime, choose the perennials you want for your new garden bed and plant them in large decorative pots. Spread mulch on top of the landscape fabric and arrange the pots on top. You will have an attractive garden with blooming plants all summer.
In the autumn, the grass will be dead, and you can remove the landscape fabric. Dig in plenty of finished compost from your compost bin. Transplant your container plants into your new garden bed.
Don’t Leave Your Plants Behind
If you move often or expect to move during the growing season, plant your perennials, vegetables, and herbs in containers. When you move, you can take your garden with you! Tray-based vermicomposting bins are also easy to move.
Be sure to check out Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm’s website. We are the #1 supplier of composting worms and supplies in the USA.